The Willow Glen Resident

Letters

Leaf-blowers aren't the worst problem in some neighborhoods

In response to the letters written by Thomas Sutton and Kathy Sasseen, I pose one question: Do you not realize how fortunate you are? There are many neighborhoods in San Jose where the least of residents' worries is the sound of a minuscule leaf-blower. In fact, they would welcome that sound. Instead, they are more concerned with the sounds of gunfire, sirens and gang fights that plague their streets.

I find it quite selfish and disturbing that one would actually be upset over a leaf-blower that, I might add, is only being used to beautify one's home. Of course, it can be annoying, but is it really worth complaining about? Instead of sitting at home and devising a way to ban leaf-blowers, I suggest you invest your time more wisely. By the way, what's next--lawn mowers?

Shelby Brewer
Husted Avenue

Parking on Meredith never crossed his mind

I read with interest the paid advertisement titled "Misrepresentation of Facts" in the Dec. 24 issue of The Resident.

I wanted to offer a few comments and $800 worth of facts of my own. On Friday, Dec. 10, I had the pleasure of hosting 11 sales and marketing professionals who traveled to the Bay Area for a week's worth of product training. These people represented five international cities: Taipei, London, Seoul, Munich and Tokyo.

I did not choose the regular, tried, tired, always-a-hassle trip up to San Francisco or perhaps downtown San Jose to treat this international clientele. Instead, I chose to put the charm of Willow Glen up against their international cities of renown and spend my $800 where I live. Why? Willow Glen is real; it is my home, and the atmosphere that Spiro Stamos provides at Willow Glen Billiards & Brew and the culinary fare that Rob Francis and Jesus Montejano create nightly at Aqui Cal-Mex Grill are two of the best secrets in the Bay Area.

Furthermore, what made this a definite repeat plan for me is I can walk across the street after billiards and be dining on some of the best Cal-Mex ever in just 10 minutes. Try doing that in San Francisco!

I did not have to fight for a parking spot (by the way, I parked at the Recording Studio), I did not have to fight off sleep with the return commute from the City by the Bay; my guests loved seeing real people in a real town living real life; and I got two more hours of business-relationship time, not traffic snarl.

What is the point?

First, I want to give all the Meredith Avenue neighbors the encouraging word that the thought of parking on Meredith Avenue never, ever, in my wildest desperation would have crossed my mind. Even now, the thought is more absurd and improbable than I could ever imagine.

I am sympathetic with the problem of customers' cars being parked for extended period in front of my home, too. It doesn't happen often except every summer weekend, when there is a garage sale somewhere on my street, and during Founders Day, the Street Dance and the Farmers Market. By the way, I live four blocks south of Minnesota and Lincoln.

Second, many cities would love to have the problem of so many people wanting to visit its shops and experience its charm. I, for one, am very pleased not to see the old Appliance Parts & Service Depot eyesore any longer.

To Spiro and Rob and all the others who came before it was so hip to be here, thanks for your courage to invest in Willow Glen.

Scott Slinker
Willow Glen Way

Photo of young lady smoking does disservice

I was very sad to unroll my Willow Glen Resident today, Dec. 30, to see a lovely young lady taking a drag on a cigarette. Thank God smoking will be outlawed Jan. 1 in all clubs, bars and taverns. I fear that this picture will do a great disservice to our youth. Many do not smoke, and I'm happy for them.

The Willow Glen paper is very informative and has many articles I enjoy reading when it comes, such as Carl Heintze's articles and others on some of the shops and what they offer in way of crafts and sales.

I'm a senior native of Willow Glen, having lived here since coming to San Jose State in the fall of 1944 from Vallejo.

My longtime husband and I are retired teachers, he from Cupertino schools and myself from San Jose Unified. He taught junior high, and I taught kindergarten and first grade.

I joined the Willow Glen Fun Time Singers last year thanks to a community note in The Resident.

Ruth A. Higgins
McBain Avenue

Lack of lights on Willow Street willow left holiday void

Something was missing in Willow Glen this holiday season: the incredibly lovely willow tree on Willow Street, which outshone anything I have seen in Disneyland.

In this case, absence does make the memory even fonder. I am sorry the Perez family has not shared this unique beauty this year.

But most of all, I want them to know how much I (and so many others) appreciate their hard work and generosity over the years. You will never know in this life just how many "aha!" moments you have provided for children of all ages.

I just had to publicly express my gratitude to you. What would this world be like if each of our families put the same time, energy and talent into making others happy?

Sister Mary Peter, RSM
Glen Eyrie

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